Soul16

For sure, he's having a bit of pre Christmas fun methinks.

Just out of interest, what is your position on audio quality of bootlegs? Do you have any personal criteria in that regard, or will any old distorted crap do?

My understanding is that the Northern Soul scene was built around rare records, rather than rare recordings. Bootlegs and pressings are pieces of plastic with rare recordings cut into them, often with dodgy sound quality. 'It's all about the music' is often given as an excuse for playing boots too. For me, it's always been about those genuine rare records, where the DJ that fills the dance floor with those records is king.

Sometimes I wonder if the Northern Soul scene has been hijacked by internet trolls trying to wind us 'purists' up! The way things are going, I reckon it might be best to sell my collection of decent originals and find another interest in my old age. FFS

(In no particular order) Today they are: Howard Guyton - Slowly slip away, Epitome of Sound - You don't love me, Chi Chi - If you're gonna love me, John Bowie - You're gonna miss a good thing, Chashers - Without my girl. Tomorrow, the list could look a little different...

I think it's just 'if you' sung as 'if-a-you" I could be wrong of course

I think this is fairly close: "I can't give you up, no, I can't let you go, I can't let you leave, coz I still need you so, So baby please, baby don't leave, stay, I'm begging you please help, I'm drowning in my tears, coz my love for you is burning in my heart You're gonna miss my love if you should go away You'll thank your lucky stars if you decide to stay Oh baby, I'll change in every way, if you tell me you'll stay Hey yeah, I'm begging on my knees, please baby, if you'll only please help (break) You're gonna miss my love, if you should go away, You'll thank your lucky stars if you decide to stay, Oh baby, I'll change in every way, if you tell me you'll stay, Help, I'm begging on my knees, please baby, if you'll only please help (Please stay, please stay, please stay...) (fade) Oh I need you only, please stay here, ooh I love you."

No, that recording has no Northern DNA in it whatsoever. Barbara Redd, however, certainly does.

I only knew him through my dealings with him on Soul Source, but I found him to be a true and honest gentleman. I'm very shocked to hear of his passing. A very sad loss. Rest in peace John.

That's a different topic altogether!

An honest dealer that has a reputation to protect will tell you if a 45 is a bootleg/pressing or reissue - all you have to do is ask if you are unsure. The asking price would also be an indicator. The old adage 'If it looks too good to be true, it probably is' still applies. Buy from reputable sources.

As a long standing Northern Soul 'fan' or 'freak' as they used to say in the 1970's, these are some of my basic beliefs: 1. 'Keep The Faith' has had no place in Northern Soul culture since the 1970's. Today, along with the 'clenched fist' logo, it's just a marketing tool to sell naff accessories and general tat (mugs, drinks coasters, car stickers etc) to those who think that it makes them look in some way 'cool' to be into this 'underground' thing that is Northern Soul. 2. It ain't underground any more. 3. It ain't cool (just check out some of those YouTube videos of current soul nights) 4. 'Proper' Northern Soul DJ's only play original vinyl and are worthy of our appreciation and applause for playing their prized gems. 5. DJ's that deliberately buy looky likey 45's to play to the paying public have no respect for the music or for the guys mentioned in point 4. 6. At some soul nights, the paying public don't really care that the DJ's are playing bootlegs, as long as they hear 'The Snake' and necked a few pints, who gives a toss? 7. DJ's that don't play original vinyl are fine to play it off CD's, or whatever digital format at Birthday parties, Wedding receptions, Christmas parties etc. 8. 'Vintage' bootleg 45's do have a place in some collections - that was the only way most of the working class kids could access the music in those days. 9. People 'making a living' selling illegal bootlegs on eBay are openly breaking the law. 10. I'm a miserable old fart and it's no wonder I can't be arsed to go out anymore...

About the same in quantity, but I've probably spent more on them. I only buy old vinyl, not really interested in new vinyl.

My missus was out last night so no Strictly Come Dancing, followed X-Factor for once. Time to spin some records and have a dance in private. Nothing 'up front' or in vogue, just records that I like to play at home when I get the chance. Wilson Pickett - Let me be your boy (Verve) Harvey - Any way ya wanta (Tri-Phi) Fay Simmons - Please tell me I'm yours (Senca) The Neptunes - Girl that's an awful thing to say (Gem demo) Buster Jones - Baby boy (Sure Shot demo) Parliaments - Don't be sore at me (Revilot) Chubby Checker - You just don't know (London 70's UK reissue) Hamilton Movement- She's gone (Soul Mafia reissue) Benny Troy - I wanna give you tomorrow (De-Lite demo) Billy Cole - Extra Careful (Power Exchange demo) Kiki Dee - On a magic carpet ride (Fontana) Jimmy Beaumont- You got too much going for you (London) Ketty Lester - Some things are better left unsaid (UK RCA) Ritchie Adams - Better off without you (MGM demo) Chi Chi - If you're gonna love me (Kapp demo) Big Dee Irwin - You satisfy my needs (Rotate) Howard Guyton - I watched you slowly slip away (Verve) Sam Williams - Love slipped through my fingers (Grapevine reissue) Del - Larks - Job opening (70's Queen City lookalike boot) Tony Middleton - Spanish Maiden (Speed) Mel Britt - She'll come running back (70's FIP boot) Epitome of Sound - Where were you (Sandbag) John Bowie - You're gonna miss a good thing (Merben) Mamie Lee - I can feel him slipping away (MGM) Chashers - Without my girl (Uncle) The Drifters - Pour your little heart out (Epic demo) Cheers, Andrew.

That is also a possibility, they must be out there in quantity, none on Popsike though. Cheers Swifty

Could be the case I guess, cheers Trev.

Could somebody tell me if the You Can't Blame Me/Your Love Keeps Drawing Me Closer 45 was booted or re-issued in the mid 1970's please? I doubt that it was, but I've recently noticed that my copy looks different to all the other copies I've seen. The label on my copy is missing the gold upper half on the YCBM side, although it is present on the YLKDMC side. The audio quality is spot on, so it doesn't sound like a bootleg to me. Andrew

I bought my copy from the USA about 6 years ago, it was sold as an original: Vinyl, De -Lite records, serrated edge around label. Promotional Not For Sale Stereo side has 'DEP1572A' and 'JR.' in the run-out Mono side has 'DEP1572' (lightly crossed out) and 'DEP1572A-DJ' and 'JR' in the run-out.

Thanks to both of you for confirming my suspicions, I'll steer clear of that one.

Could somebody tell me if the copy currently on eBay and ending tonight is a boot? I get the feeling it is because 'ZSP 79988' along with a run time of 2.26 appears on both sides of the record. After checking on Popsike I noticed that the seller previously sold a similar copy back in April. It also looks like it may be vinyl, I assume that the genuine article is styrene. I ask the question because I wasn't aware that there was a lookie likey copy doing the rounds. Andrew

I'm currently in an odd situation with a buyer on eBay, I sold a mint condition 70's pressing of Bernie Williams on Eric a couple of weeks ago. Within days, I got a message via eBay saying that the buyer wanted to return the record for a refund because 'although the record does appear to be mint, there are several loud pops during playback'. Now, I guess most of us know that all copies of this pressing sound like that because the original it was dubbed from wasn't exactly mint, sonically. Anyway, I agreed to accept the return immediately because I couldn't be arsed to explain to the buyer that all copies will sound the same, unless you splash out on an original. The odd thing is though, two weeks later, my PayPal payment is now 'pending' because the returns process is active and I still haven't received the record back...

Very sad to hear this. The 86 Club, I remember Esher playing the final spot 'just one more before we have to end....' Management often ended up pulling the plug. Great times. R.I.P. John

This comedy sale will be no laughing matter for the eventual winner - It may look vintage and slightly weathered, but the edge of the vinyl doesn't look right and the Where Were You side appears to be sporting one of those stick-on labels. Quoting the Soul Source 'experts' is a bit naughty too - the cream and red info just doesn't apply any more. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161732463690?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I know - I was the seller and I thought I got a good price! To be honest, I've always felt it to be undervalued anyway, it's a fantastic record. Thankfully, I still have another copy

I'm pretty sure the John and the Weirdest lyrics are as follows: "A sink full of dishes you used to do Dust lying on a table top for two One single hairpin lying on the floor A lonely little doggy crying at the door"